We need the legislature to protect public safety and confidence in acupuncture by guaranteeing that all Iowa persons using acupuncture needles are Licensed Acupuncturists with Graduate level training and national certification. The same is true for every state in the U.S. 
(see NCCAOM)

In the current Acupuncture law (passed in 1999), the medical and Chiropractic political lobby demanded the legislature to include an exemption that allows Doctors and Chiropractors to practice acupuncture with little or no training. They have no requirements to for supervised clinical practice, national exams nor continuous membership in a certification organization.

By an informal rulings of their licensure boards, Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers can use acupuncture needles in a therapy called Dry Needling with as little as 24 hours of non-accredited training. 

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

NCCAOM certified acupuncturists have over 2000 hours of medical training and are the legitimate acupuncture professionals.

Medical Doctors, Osteopaths, Dentists, Psychiatrists and Podiatrists can use acupuncture needles without any training, CEUs, nor exams.

Chiropractors are allowed to call themselves "Acupuncturists" with a 100 hour course with no national exam, clinical supervised training nor CEUs.

Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers can use acupuncture needles with 24 hours of training in Dry Needling.

PATIENT SAFETY

Acupuncture is an invasive medical procedure, the public needs to have graduate level trained and certified acupuncture professionals.

Iowa needs legislation assuring that anyone who practices acupuncture must possess a NCCAOM certification including graduate level training and exam requirements.  This will insure that all patients of acupuncture have qualified and safe practitioners. 

FAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE

Lastly, the state of Iowa does not allow anyone except Osteopaths the right to practice Osteopathic Manual Manipulation.  Nor can anyone except Chiropractors practice Chiropractic Adjustments.  Yet, those two professions allow their members to use acupuncture and call themselves "Acupuncturists" without any regard to the professionally trained NCCAOM certified acupuncturists. 

The Boards of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers allows their respective professions to use acupuncture needles with 24 hours of non-accredited training in Dry Needling. 

Using the trademark of Acupuncture, the solid filiform acupuncture needle,  by other less trained professions is unethical, unconstitutional and unsafe.

In order for a NCCAOM acupuncturists to maintain their business credentials, they must complete yearly CEUs and maintain certification.  The yearly cost of this can be $1000+.

Doctors, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers are not required to spend any money or time maintaining their dry needling / acupuncture practice.

The general public is often deceived by Chiropractor advertisements and signage believing they are qualified to practice. 

The 1999 Acupuncture Licensure Law passed both the Iowa House and Senate  unanimously.  The practice of acupuncture is very popular and has tremendous loyalty. When you are making your decision please listen to your community and not the political lobby.